christmas Archives - now & gen https://nowandgen.com/tag/christmas/ Wed, 20 Apr 2022 15:31:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.9 https://nowandgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/cropped-now-and-gen_logo-1-32x32.png christmas Archives - now & gen https://nowandgen.com/tag/christmas/ 32 32 My 2021 Holiday Gift Guide https://nowandgen.com/2021/11/29/my-2021-holiday-gift-guide/ https://nowandgen.com/2021/11/29/my-2021-holiday-gift-guide/#comments Mon, 29 Nov 2021 19:49:08 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=6450 If you’re feeling behind on your shopping or need some gift inspiration, you’re in luck! My 2021 Gift Guide features 23 gift ideas sure to excite the adults and kids in your life.

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]]> https://nowandgen.com/2021/11/29/my-2021-holiday-gift-guide/feed/ 1 Holiday Gift Guide https://nowandgen.com/2020/12/12/holiday-gift-guide-3/ https://nowandgen.com/2020/12/12/holiday-gift-guide-3/#comments Sat, 12 Dec 2020 20:44:17 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=6081 21 gift ideas for grown ups and kids that help us focus on creating joyful memories with the ones we love.

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]]> https://nowandgen.com/2020/12/12/holiday-gift-guide-3/feed/ 6 My Holiday Playlist https://nowandgen.com/2020/12/02/my-holiday-playlist/ https://nowandgen.com/2020/12/02/my-holiday-playlist/#comments Wed, 02 Dec 2020 21:45:44 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=6061 This isn't a normal holiday season, but blasting cheery tunes will help boost everyone's mood. Here's my holiday playlist, featuring new songs and old favorites.

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]]> https://nowandgen.com/2020/12/02/my-holiday-playlist/feed/ 26 My Aunt’s Famous Biscotti Recipe https://nowandgen.com/2019/12/21/my-aunts-famous-biscotti-recipe/ https://nowandgen.com/2019/12/21/my-aunts-famous-biscotti-recipe/#comments Sat, 21 Dec 2019 08:31:06 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=4943 Growing up, my family was traditional in the sense that every Christmas we picked out our tree, scattered ornaments around the floor, and discussed (and fought over) which ornament went where—and who got to hang the angel. We drove through neighborhoods strung with lights and with Santas flying over chimneys and voted on which house we loved the most that year. We did the obligatory smile-for-the-camera Christmas photos, but that was pretty much the extent of our “traditions.” I always attempted to bake, but being the oldest of four unique siblings, I felt like I could never satisfy everyone’s cravings. The one exciting treat everyone agreed upon was waiting in a shiny tin that arrived by post promptly before every Christmas. The contents inside were the most delectable homemade biscotti from my Aunt Cathy.These biscotti had the best crunch (not too firm and not too chewy) and soaked up hot chocolate, coffee, or tea just right. I looked forward to my Aunt Cathy’s shipment every year. And even though we lived close to each other for the 13 years that I lived in the Bay Area, she never failed to mail them. Maybe it’s her Georgia roots and Southern traditions, […]

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]]> https://nowandgen.com/2019/12/21/my-aunts-famous-biscotti-recipe/feed/ 13 DIY Wrapping Paper https://nowandgen.com/2019/12/19/diy-wrapping-paper/ https://nowandgen.com/2019/12/19/diy-wrapping-paper/#comments Thu, 19 Dec 2019 22:40:31 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=5009 There are always a million things to do during the holidays. No matter how prepped I think I am, it feels as though an entire year of to-dos get crammed into these two weeks. That’s why I love finding activities that can check off a few boxes at the same time. This year, the kids and I decided to channel our inner Van Gogh and make DIY wrapping paper. I got my gift wrapping done and spent quality time with the kids, and they got to make a big mess and release some creative energy. It was a win-win for everybody! The wrapping paper we made is far from Pinterest-perfect, but I love that it gives an added personal touch and detail to our gift giving. O and the boys had so much fun designing their own presents, and it’s an added bonus for the grandparents who love to receive these special works of art from the kids. Want to give it a try? Don’t worry, this super easy DIY is basically impossible to screw up. Here’s how we did it: What You’ll Need roll of recycled Kraft paper paints (we used Tempera paints and paint sticks) paintbrushes small bowls […]

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]]> https://nowandgen.com/2019/12/19/diy-wrapping-paper/feed/ 7 Holiday Gift Guide https://nowandgen.com/2019/12/13/holiday-gift-guide-2/ https://nowandgen.com/2019/12/13/holiday-gift-guide-2/#comments Fri, 13 Dec 2019 20:06:37 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=4911 Christmas is less than two weeks away! (How did that happen?!) If you’re feeling behind on your shopping, you’re in luck! I have compiled a holiday gift guide full of things I love or have on my Santa list, as well as items I think men or kids will love. Even better: These gifts start at $15, so you’ll find plenty of steals as well as splurges. Keep reading for 40+ gift ideas for everyone in your life, as well as eco-friendly stocking stuffers that are fun and sustainable. Take a peek and let me know if anything catches your eye. Happy shopping! FOR HIM 1. Outerknown Lost Coast Moleskin pants, $118 Comfort and style go hand in hand with these organic cotton pants. 2. TISSCARE foot massager, $150 Who doesn’t love a massage after a long day? This heated machine goes deep on sore feet, hand, and calf muscles. Sounds like heaven. 3. Murray classic polo, $72 William Murray infuses stodgy traditional golf shirts with some fun. These polos wear well on the course and at the bar when your guy goes for a beer afterwards. Cheers! 4. Watches: A Guide by Hodinkee book, $85 My husband is a […]

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]]> https://nowandgen.com/2019/12/13/holiday-gift-guide-2/feed/ 5 My Guide To Hacking The Holidays With Mastercard On File https://nowandgen.com/2018/12/23/my-guide-to-hacking-the-holidays-with-mastercard-on-file/ https://nowandgen.com/2018/12/23/my-guide-to-hacking-the-holidays-with-mastercard-on-file/#comments Sun, 23 Dec 2018 20:08:15 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=3424 You know that person who has all their Christmas cards sent, gifts bought and presents wrapped to perfection under the tree by the first week of December? Um, yeah…that is NOT me. I wish it were. I so want to be that person who doesn’t procrastinate and gets the holiday prep done way ahead of schedule, but every year the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas feel shorter and shorter. I’m always scrambling to get it all done, despite my best intentions. One thing I am good at: Improvisation. Life with three kids under six is anything but predictable and I try to approach the holidays with a flexible mindset. Accepting that my best-laid plans might fall apart from the outset puts less strain on everyone. And it makes it easier to roll with the chaos and come up with a plan b (or c) when things don’t go as expected. I also keep my Mastercard saved in all of my favorite apps that help me “mom-hack” life. Sounds like a small thing, but being able to check items off my to-do list and solve unexpected problems with the click of a button can be huge—especially in a week where all […]

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]]> https://nowandgen.com/2018/12/23/my-guide-to-hacking-the-holidays-with-mastercard-on-file/feed/ 2 Homemade Salt Dough Ornaments https://nowandgen.com/2018/12/22/homemade-salt-dough-ornaments/ https://nowandgen.com/2018/12/22/homemade-salt-dough-ornaments/#comments Sat, 22 Dec 2018 18:52:00 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=3385 Salt dough ornaments are one of those crafts that look easy and fun to make…and they actually ARE. They also keep my kids occupied for hours, which feels like a major parenting win during the chaos of Christmas. In between sports and school they plop down at the table and pick up a brush and paint the ornaments. I’ve been letting my OCD guard down and leaving the drop cloth on the kitchen table with all the supplies and just let them pick up where they left off with their creativity. My inner clean freak is losing it a little, but I know that I will be so happy we did all of these next year when I am hanging them on the tree and lamenting about another year passing by. They really do provide such nostalgia and let me know what the kids were into that particular year. (Dinosaurs were a common thread for Shep this year while Odette seems to be having a Jackson Pollock moment.)  I can’t remember where I found the original recipe, but it’s morphed over the years and this is the version I’ve found to work best. Here’s what you’ll need to make the […]

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]]> https://nowandgen.com/2018/12/22/homemade-salt-dough-ornaments/feed/ 25 December Lit List: Books for Gifting https://nowandgen.com/2018/12/20/december-lit-list-books-for-gifting/ https://nowandgen.com/2018/12/20/december-lit-list-books-for-gifting/#comments Thu, 20 Dec 2018 22:17:05 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=3378 If you’re still in need of some last-minute presents, I’ve got you covered. This lit list is full of giftable reads—from children’s picture books to luxe coffee table tomes and cult-favorite cookbooks. I especially love giving books because they can be used over and over, talked about and shared with others long after they’ve finished reading. A gift that truly keeps on giving! Simple by Yotam Ottolenghi I’m a huge fan of Yotam Ottolenghi’s cookbooks Plenty and Jerusalem—so many accessible recipes packed with flavor. Here, the award-winning London chef and author’s takes on uncomplicated food, with his signature Mediterranean twist. It’s a great option for friends and family members who are just learning to cook. Bibliophile by Jane Mount Spoiler alert: I kind of want someone to give this to me for Christmas! (Jared, are you reading this?). This beautiful, whimsical illustrated book is made for book lovers, and lets you explore famous bookstores and get inspiration for your next read with quizzes and the author’s curated stacks of books. I’m in. Trees: Between Earth and Heaven by Gregory McNamee This visually stunning ode to the great outdoors is great for a friend who spends too much time cooped up […]

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]]> https://nowandgen.com/2018/12/20/december-lit-list-books-for-gifting/feed/ 6 Simple Christmas Craft: Orange Pomanders https://nowandgen.com/2018/12/18/simple-christmas-craft-orange-pomanders/ https://nowandgen.com/2018/12/18/simple-christmas-craft-orange-pomanders/#comments Tue, 18 Dec 2018 19:44:08 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=3366 I’d completely forgotten about these until I came across a drawing in one of Odette’s illustrated books of a beautiful Christmas fireplace mantel adorned with old-fashioned clove-studded oranges. Could we make a fun activity out of making these together? Is this even achievable?? Google to the rescue and YES! Turns out the word “pomander” comes from the French term “pomme de ambre” which means, eloquently, amber-scented ball. Centuries ago, citrus pomanders were pricked with cloves and rolled in other delicious smelling scents (cinnamon and nutmeg) then tied with ribbon and hung around the neck – the OG deodorant! The combination of citrus and cloves really does smell amazing. It’s also incredibly easy. What you need: Firm Citrus We used a mix of navel oranges, tangerines and lemons Whole Cloves I purchased 2 large jars (1.3 oz each) of cloves Toothpicks Ribbon and/or twine Drop-cloth for catching citrus drips We covered the dining table with the drop-cloth and put the citrus in a pile in the middle with bowls of cloves and toothpicks in arms reach. The toothpicks are handy piercers as the citrus skins can be a little tough, then we pushed the clove stems into the pre-made holes. You […]

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